Playing the violin already shows off fancy tastes that can only be matched by picking the best electric violin possible. If you’re having a little trouble with deciding, that’s okay. It happens to the best of us. And that’s why we are here – to give you a hand in selecting not just the best electric violin, but the best electric violin for you.
In this article you’ll find a thoroughly prepared review of our top ten favorite electric violins. We will also throw in a comprehensive guide to show you what to look for so that making a choice can be a lot easier and faster.
So, we don’t dawdle any further, let’s get this show on the road already. But just before that, take a quick glance at our comparison table.
Contents
- Top 10 Best Electric Violin Reviews In 2023
- 1 Yamaha Model SV-130SBL Concert Select Silent Violin – Gorgeous Look, Excellent Sound
- 2 Bunnel Edge Electric Violin Outfit – Value Purchase, Ready To Play Outta The Box
- 3 Yamaha YEV105BL Electric Violin – Lightweight, 5-String Electric Violin
- 4 Wood Violins Stingray WV-SVX5/BK Electric Violin – Simple 5-String Electric Violin With Pro Performance
- 5 Kinglos Solid Wood Intermediate Electric Violin – Very Quiet Silent Electric Violin
- 6 Stagg EVN MRD Silent Violin Set – Decent Quality, Best For Beginners
- 7 Cecilio CEVN-2BL Solid Wood Electric Violin – Affordable Violin Set For Beginners
- 8 NS Design WAV 4 Violin Amberbust – Sleek Design, Clean Tune
- 9 Cecilio CEVN-1NA Mahogany Electric Violin – Solid, High Quality Build
- 10 Stagg EVN BK Silent Violin Set – Beginner Violin Set
- Best Electric Violin Buying Guide
Top 10 Best Electric Violin Reviews In 2023
| Name | Type | Weight | Size | Bridge | Fingerboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type Silent | Weight 8 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Maple | Fingerboard Ebony | |
Type Silent | Weight 9.3 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Maple | Fingerboard Ebony | |
Also Great Yamaha YEV105BL Electric Violin  View Price | Type 5-string | Weight 6 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Not specified |
Type 5-string | Weight Not | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Not specified | |
Type Silent | Weight 1.26 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Ebony | |
Also Great Stagg EVN MRD Silent Violin Set  View Price | Type Silent | Weight 4.7 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Ebony |
Type Silent | Weight 5 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Ebony | |
Also Great NS Design WAV 4 Violin Amberbust  View Price | Type Not specified | Weight 6 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Ebony |
Type Silent | Weight 5 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Ebony | |
Also Great Stagg EVN BK Silent Violin Set  View Price | Type Silent | Weight 5.06 pounds | Size 4/4 | Type Not Specifie | Fingerboard Ebony |
1 Yamaha Model SV-130SBL Concert Select Silent Violin – Gorgeous Look, Excellent Sound
The Yamaha SV-130SBL is absolutely gorgeous! That’s the very first thing that would catch anyone’s eyes. It has this stunning, eye-catching quality that would make any owner proud. So, yeah we are very impressed with that.
As for the feel, this violin feels really amazing. You can probably tell from how sleek it looks.
This is a silent violin as is mentioned in the name so it’s ideal for practice. It comes with a headphone jack for you to achieve a quiet yet immersive practice. And it sounds just as amazing even when connected to speakers.
So, obviously, it is also great for performance as well. The sound from this model is totally beautiful too, even though we wouldn’t readily recommend it for playing a Beethoven piece. It’s still an electric violin after all. But then again, it does produce a terrific sound dangerously close to that of an acoustic violin.
The steel strings are good too. You might want to change them out if you’re picky about your tastes in violins, though. But they aren’t terrible and they also hold their tune quite well.
Alright, now to something to note, especially for the beginners. Your package will come with a case, a bow and strings. So, the violinist would have to set up the violin themselves. Beginners, understandably might have issues with doing that. However, there are brick and mortar stores where you can get that fixed.
(4.5 / 5)- Beautiful aesthetics.
- Feels great to hold.
- Silent violin with headphone jack ideal for practice.
- Good quality strings.
- May experience one or two flaws with the ergonomics of this violin around the chin rest and the neck.
2 Bunnel Edge Electric Violin Outfit – Value Purchase, Ready To Play Outta The Box
We can’t believe the high level of value we can get from such an affordable electric violin package. It’s amazing! With a reasonably little amount of money, this electric violin package would get you:
- A solid case with plush interior lining and all kinds of space for all your accessories.
- A mini amp that you can take along with you to play on the go.
- Headphones for silent practice at home (not all manufacturers include this).
- D’Addario strings already installed!
- A Kennedy Violins rosin.
- A strong 9 volt battery that powers your violin for long.
And you know the best part?
The violin comes pre-assembled. You don’t have to set anything up. Therefore, beginner or professional, you’ll find this violin very usable with little or no effort.
For a violin in this price range, the sound is actually pretty good. It might not be able to hold a candle to the really pricey ones, expectedly, but it holds its own nevertheless. We would recommend it as a practice set or perhaps, a support violin to the main violin.
The bow is pretty much not very usable. Just plan to change it once you get it. You’d also have to get your own shoulder rest as this package does not include that. This might even be a good thing if you already have something that you’re used to.
(4.5 / 5)- Value purchase – comes as a complete set of almost everything needed in a violin.
- Comes pre-assembled, no need to set up anything.
- Solid battery.
- Also comes with headphones for silent practice.
- The bow isn’t great.
- Slightly heavy in weight.
3 Yamaha YEV105BL Electric Violin – Lightweight, 5-String Electric Violin
So, Yamaha made this especially for those of you with that certain level of skill. This is a classy and beautiful 5-string electric violin. And like you may well know, it’s not for everybody.
The additional fifth string will allow you the violinist to achieve a strong C. So, in a way, you’re actually getting a viola and violin in one instrument. Now, if you’re worried about playability, you don’t need to. The makers of this violin recall that you’re still very much a violinist, so, the scale length is still that of a violin. So, worry not, it’s still going to feel very familiar as you play.
Another beautiful thing about this violin is its weight. It is super lightweight so it’s very comfy to play on. And of course, as is Yamaha’s custom, the violin looks totally amazing! It feels amazing too. And, in general, the violin is quite easy to play as well.
This isn’t a silent violin, so, there is no headphone jack or anything like that. Also, it does not come with a preamp so it’s not too loud when playing. You’d have to connect to an external amplifier to really catch the beautiful sound and tone of this amazing violin.
Altogether, this is one fun, easy violin. And if you’ve been dreaming of taking the violin into other genres of music aside classical like jazz or rock or even blues, here’s your chance.
(4.6 / 5)- Lightweight.
- Beautiful feel and design.
- Great sound.
- Very easy to play.
- 5 strings give the appeal of a viola and violin at the same time.
- Might not be loud enough for some as it does not include a preamp.
4 Wood Violins Stingray WV-SVX5/BK Electric Violin – Simple 5-String Electric Violin With Pro Performance
This is one really down-to-earth violin with a mean performance. There aren’t too many features to bother about. So, all you need to do is to plug and begin to play. This is the spirit of the violin and we love it very much.
Aesthetically, this is a very beautiful piece, even with its simplistic look. It feels very lightweight and it feels great too. All in all, this piece feels very high end and so far, passes as a very worthwhile investment.
Alright, now to the sound…
If you play the piano, you know that there’s a teeny difference between how a grand piano sounds and how a great digital one sounds. It’s the same here. It does sound great but it’s still incomparable to an acoustic.
Now, if you really want the best from this amazing violin, you’d need to get the following:
- An amp: This violin does not come with an amp, so, it’s pretty much soundless without any external amp. When you get a good amp and hook it up with your violin, the sound you’d get would blow your mind.
- Get a really good bow: This is a 5-string and if you want amazing sound, you’d need amazing bow control. Hence, if you want amazing bow control, you’d, at least, need to have an amazing bow.
The strings installed on this violin are quite decent. They hold a tune and they look like they would stick around a while.
(4.5 / 5)- Lightweight.
- Beautiful feel and design.
- Sounds great.
- Simplistic design.
- The tailpiece is of really poor quality.
5 Kinglos Solid Wood Intermediate Electric Violin – Very Quiet Silent Electric Violin
This is one beautiful electric violin without any doubt. We love the unique, floral, white and blue designs that decorate the body. All the floral decorations around the body contribute to make this piece really attractive.
That said, let’s talk about the strings for a bit. For strings that come pre-installed, we have to give them a thumbs up. They are pretty decent. If you want a show-stopping sound, you should probably consider changing them out for D’Addario preludes. But if you don’t, that’s okay too because the preinstalled strings are good anyway. Kinglos even added extra strings in the package. Awwnn… Thanks, Kinglos.
Now, this is a really quiet violin. It comes with a pickup but doesn’t come with a preamp. Without an amp, this violin is actually pretty quiet. It still makes a noise, true, but your neighbors are not going to be badgering you to keep it down, that’s for sure.
When you plug in headphones though, the sound goes to a whole new level. The sound experience is beautiful, real, and totally immersive.
Also, let’s not forget that this is a real value purchase. It is really affordable and comes with a bow, a case, a rosin, a shoulder rest, an extra bridge, an extra set of strings, and a 9V battery.
PS: Be sure to keep an extra battery on hand just in case.
(4.2 / 5)- Very quiet violin – ideal for practice in living areas and other places where you can’t play too loudly.
- Value purchase.
- Decent preinstalled strings.
- Beautiful sound.
- Great sound.
- Bridge is too high making tuning difficult.
6 Stagg EVN MRD Silent Violin Set – Decent Quality, Best For Beginners
Okay, this is a fair enough violin best for beginners. In all honesty, advanced violin players will struggle with this because all the parts of this violin are just okay. So, don’t expect the performance of a high end instrument.
Now that your expectation has been normalized…
The overall build is quite decent. The materials used are good and durable too. The fingerboard is made of ebony, giving the violin a great feel and making the violin very beautiful to play.
Alright… Next up, the strings are decent. Plan to change those after a while, though. The bow is also okay as well. It would be great in the beginning but as you build skill, you might want to opt for something better.
The headphones included are good but if you have your own set, then all the better. The headphones included won’t last very long.
The sound is great, that part is actually quite appreciable. For a violin of this price, we must commend the quality of sound it gives. It gets a solid grade on that score.
(3.5 / 5)- Great sound.
- Decent build quality.
- It’s decent enough for beginners.
- Included case is cheap.
- Most parts of the violin are low quality.
7 Cecilio CEVN-2BL Solid Wood Electric Violin – Affordable Violin Set For Beginners
Here’s another great violin set for beginners if you didn’t like the first one. Granted, a few of the included features aren’t great but, generally, this is a good violin for a beginner.
It does not require set up, for one. This is one feature you’d want as a beginner. Setting up a violin isn’t always very easy, so getting a pre-assembled one is definitely a plus.
Also, it is very silent. Like, very… except it is connected to an amp, you might not hear much. But then there’s a headphone hack. Don’t count on the headphones included, though. If you’ve already got yours, great. If you haven’t, think of buying a new set. The one included doesn’t sound great.
The strings are pretty good and if you put some rosen on the pegs, it would stay in tune almost forever. Plus, they are quite easy to tune too.
Again, the violin produces great sound too. And the bridge is correctly built with the right action height both on the bass and on the treble sides.
Err… the case and bow? They aren’t quite fantastic. The case might serve for a bit but you might need to change the bow soon.
(3.7 / 5)- Great for beginners.
- Value set.
- Comes preassembled.
- Decent strings.
- Case and bow are low quality.
8 NS Design WAV 4 Violin Amberbust – Sleek Design, Clean Tune
We really love this fiddle. It’s great, it’s beautiful, and it sounds great.
The design is really sleek. It will definitely impress anyone who looks at it. Although it looks trendy and modern, it still carries the grace of a traditional violin.
But here’s something we absolutely can’t shut up about…
The sound is really clean! In fact, in comparison with many higher end models, the sound from this is really clean. And it shines even more when you hook it up with an amp.
Because, well, this is a really quiet violin… But then, there is no headphone jack. It just seems like there’s no way to win. The sound is great and clean but to really hear it, you’d need to hook it up with an amp.
The shoulder rest is also quite comfy. You’d love the feel of the violin and it will also feel really beautiful as you hold it to play.
And the strings? They sure know how to stay in tune. The bridge, however, is oddly shaped. It’s not exactly a good or bad thing, it would just require a bit of getting used to.
Altogether, if this is what NS Design has on the low end model, then we can’t wait to see what they have in the high end electric violin category.
(3.6 / 5)- Boasts a really clean tune.
- Terrific, sleek design.
- Comfy shoulder rest.
- Great strings.
- This violin is really quiet which might not have been bad if it had come with a headphone jack.
- Amp tends to pick up bow swishing sounds when you’re playing fast music.
9 Cecilio CEVN-1NA Mahogany Electric Violin – Solid, High Quality Build
This is, perhaps, the most solid violin on our reviews today. This violin is solid! And because of its solid body, you can be sure the violin is going to last several plays. Aside that, you can also be confident in the quality of sound this violin will produce. Plus, there won’t be any feedback either.
It feels great to hold too. All the parts are tight. From the bridge, to the chin rest, to the tailpiece, everything is of exceptional quality. No broken pegs, no damaged parts. Really nice!
There are volume control knobs as well and there are tune knobs too. With the volume knobs, you can set the volume as loud or as quiet as you want. And it’s quite easy to work with too.
And since we’re on the volume, this piece is remarkably quiet. But if you need to really hear the sound in all its glory, then you’d need to connect the violin to headphones or external speakers. Otherwise, it’s really quiet which makes it great for practice.
The case and bow are pretty good but you might have to change out the strings for better ones.
The sound is okay without processing but with processing and with a pair of headphones, it goes from okay to amazing.
(3.6 / 5)- Solid build.
- Quiet.
- Great sound, especially when processed and listened to with headphones.
- Accompanying accessories are poor quality (especially the case and headphones).
10 Stagg EVN BK Silent Violin Set – Beginner Violin Set
Alright, here’s another decent violin for a beginner. It’s affordable. You can practice the life out of it and get better. And then when you get better, you absolutely have to make the upgrade.
It has an okay quality when you talk about the build. The materials are quite durable and the fact that the fingerboard is made of ebony helps a lot. An ebony fingerboard makes play easier and makes the violin a lot sleeker to the feel.
The strings are good too but you’ll need to change them out, preferably for D’Addario strings. However, if you can’t afford some right now, that’s okay too. The preinstalled strings would serve for the time being.
We would say the same thing for the bow and headphones as well. They are okay but it doesn’t go beyond that.
As for the sound, it gets our absolute commendation, especially for a violin this price. The sound is really great and you don’t even have to process it too much.
(3.5 / 5)- The violin is of decent build quality.
- Best as a beginner violin.
- Great sound.
- Accessories are quite flimsy.
Best Electric Violin Buying Guide
Alright, for the benefit of doubt, we will first of all define what an electric violin is.
An electric violin is a type of violin that has the ability to produce electronic violin sounds.
Generally, the digital/electronic sounds produced by an electric violin are louder and brighter than an acoustic violin. And that aside, electric violins also have an added advantage in that you can tweak or enhance the sound they produce. You can’t really do that with an acoustic violin.
Any violinist thinking of playing with an amplified band should consider an electric violin a must-have. Their plug n play ability is one feature that would come in really useful for them.
Types Of Electric Violins
Now, just like acoustic violins, electric violins also have their own groups. These groups are our next points of discussion for the next few subheadings. Stay with us…
Silent Practice Violins
Naturally, electric violins deliver a really mean sound. So, while practicing at home, you’re bound to hear one or two complaints from the neighbors.
However, thanks to technology, there are such things as silent violins.
How do they work if they are silent? You’re about to find out.
Silent violins aren’t exactly silent per se. They actually produce sounds only that in this case, they come with headphone jacks. This, therefore, gives you the liberty to practice for as long as you like without bothering about disturbing anyone.
Acoustic Electric Violins
As the name implies, these are acoustic and electric violins in one. This means that they have both acoustic and electric capabilities.
So, what’s the deal with these guys?
These violins usually come with pickups. So, though they produce acoustic sounds, with the pickup, they can also produce digital sounds.
But what exactly are pickups?
Pickups are little devices which convert analog vibrations to digital/electronic signals.
Violinists playing in halls with excellent acoustics or to an audience that prefers the sound of an acoustic might want to get this type.
Fretted Electric Violins
As you well know, violins do not usually come with frets. Frets are for guitars and the like. But why would a violinist need a fretted violin?
Well, for one, if you seek to try out some guitar techniques on your violin, you’ll need a fretted violin. Also, a fretted violin can help to make chord shapes a lot simpler to play.
In addition to these, with frets, a beginning violinist can learn to stay in tune even when they are playing in really loud environments.
Pure Electric Violins
Aka performance electric violins, these are intended for big time music recording, or A level performance. If you’re the sophisticated type and you need something that matches your personality best, then go for a pure electric violin.
Most times, pure electric violins do not resemble the traditional acoustic violin we’re used to. They come in really interesting shapes instead, from S-shape to a narrow trapezium. Nonetheless, whatever the shape, an electric violin will still come with the normal violin fittings. So, playing it wouldn’t be any different.
Features To Look Out For In A Good Electric Violin
Electronics
When we talk about the electronics of an electric violin, we talk about its pickup and preamp. However, some electronic violins might not come with a preamp. There is one advantage to getting an electric violin without a preamp, and that is that it wouldn’t need a battery to be played. But in the same breath, if you really want them to shine, you’ll need to hook them up with an external amp.
Now, if you’re getting your electric violin for a stage performance, then you need something that’s as noiseless as possible. So, the pickup must be solid! Most cheap electric violins make a lot of noise when you turn up. They also make very obvious click sounds when you change the direction of your bow.
But then the cheap electric violins also have a few perks. Some of them come with headphone jacks so you can achieve a quiet practice. But keep them for home practice and not the big stage.
Finally, even among the “big guys”, there are tonal differences. And that should be expected. So, before making a purchase, it might be a good idea to listen first and decide on the tone you like best.
Quality Of The Violin’s Build
A good electric violin must be easy play in that you must be able to press down the strings easily. Also, the strings must be able to hold a tune for a relatively long time. Even as a beginner, you don’t want a violin with a poor build. The violin must be easy to play to encourage the beginner.
Now here’s something to keep in mind. Get an electric violin that is already set up. Look out for the following:
- The quality of the pegs and the adjusters.
- The quality of wood used to make the bridge.
- The height of the bridge – it shouldn’t be too high.
- The neck angle – it shouldn’t be too shallow.
Again, check out for the feel of the material under your fingers as you play. Some brands might use synthetic fingerboards. Others might use molded plastic or even ebony. Whatever your choice, it should be something that feels familiar and also something that won’t be difficult to maintain.
Ergonomics Of The Electric Violin
Now, here’s something you must note – electric violin makers like to get crazy with their designs. However, not all designs are going to be comfortable for you.
Many manufacturers would include a shoulder rest as part of their electric violin outfit. This helps so that no matter how crazy the design gets, you will still be able to play it like a violin. But then again, there’s still the small chance that the shoulder rest included might not be comfortable for you. If you’re going to get such electric violins, then be sure it’s something you’ve played on before and are confident in.
Other makers do not include a shoulder rest so you can use anyone you like. So, if there’s a particular shoulder rest you absolutely cannot do without, then you don’t have to do without it.
And then the weight… A lightweight electric violin is your best friend. And the lightest electric violins are the high end ones, to be honest. If you cannot afford the high end ones, then go for something that is not so heavy and has ample neck and chin support to distribute the weight.
A Word About Five-String Electric Violins
Five-string violins are great, especially if you’re an advanced violinist. Beginners might struggle with them though.
So, here’s the interesting thing about 5-string electric violins.
You will normally not find 5 strings on an acoustic violin but they are fairly common with electric ones. A traditional acoustic violin is typically small. So, it doesn’t have the capability to produce a tone that’s strong enough on the C string.
It’s different for the electric violin where you can achieve 5 strings. With the 5 strings, an electric violin can hit a low C. This means that, on one instrument, one can achieve the range of both viola and violin at once.
Conclusion
Our best electric violin on review would be the Yamaha Model SV-130SBL Concert Select Silent Violin. Apart from the fact that it is totally gorgeous aesthetically, the Yamaha SV-130SBL produces excellent sound quality so close to an acoustic. It feels great to hold, it comes with great strings that stay in tune… What else could you ask for?!
Well, if you don’t have Yamaha SV-130SBL money, then our next best recommendation would be the Bunnel Edge Electric Violin Outfit. It’s the best value purchase you can possibly find.